Party Tribes

Party season is upon as and that means only one thing for us girls - it's shopping time! Whether you want to ditch your trusty dress in favour of tailoring, try out a more vampy style or go for a retro chic look, we show you how to work some of the season’s hottest trends so that you look party perfect…

Romantic

Your inspiration: Keira Knightley, Emma Stone, Sarah Jessica Parker

Frivolous ruffles, layers of lace and frou frou feathers will capture the style of the modern girlie-girl. While candy colours may seem a little prima ballerina, bold accessories à la Emma Stone will give your look a modern edge.

Romantic

Key shapes: A nipped in waist will offer the most feminine shapes and a bow will add extra girlie detailing.

Find yours…

High end: Marchesa, Valentino, Elie Saab

High street: Dorothy Perkins, Oasis, Monsoon

Notte by Marchesa Ruffled Tulle Dress, £480, Net-A-Porter

Romantic

Accessory hero: Juxtapose a busy dress with a structured box clutch. If you feel like going all-out then get yours with a bit of glitz.

Alexon Black Pleat Box Bag, £30, House of Fraser

Tailoring

Your inspiration: Alexa Chung, Amber Heard, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Evan Rachel Wood

Tailoring is becoming quite the red carpet favourite and with flattering shapes, uber-cool colours and fun ways to dress it up, it can be your party favourite, too. With cute cropped trews take Alexa Chung’s cue and choose flats, but for any longer length, heels are a must.

Tailoring

Key shapes: Work a boyfriend style blazer over cropped cigarette pants for an uber-chic silhouette.

Find yours…

High end: Stella McCartney, Jason Wu, The Row, Paul Smith

High street: Zara, Cos, Warehouse

Satin Studio Blazer, £99.99, Zara

Tailoring

Accessory hero: Give your look a feminine touch with an oversize clutch that’s perfect for keeping your party essentials safe.

Oversized Postman’s Lock Clutch, £450, Mulberry

The Retro Icon

Your inspiration: Diane Kruger, Emma Roberts, Camilla Belle, Dita Von Teese

Vintage styling is having more than a moment and the AW11 catwalks recalled almost every decade, but the roaring 20s, fab 40s and swinging 60s were key. Keep your eyes peeled for flapper-esque drop waists and beading, 40s-style crepe dresses like Diane Kruger’s divine Miu Miu number and Peter Pan collars to get your groove on.

The Retro Icon

Key shapes: Think shift shapes in block colour or geometric pattern for 60s appeal.

Find yours…

High end: Gucci, Miu Miu, Prada, Marc Jacobs

High street: Jigsaw, H&M, Beyond Retro, Hobbs

Tory Burch Denise Embroidered Wool-Blend Dress, £450, Net-A-Porter

The Retro Icon

Accessory hero: Whichever era you’ve gone for, add some sparkle to the mix with glitzy heels.

Glitter Court, £14, Matalan

Less Is More

Your inspiration: Lara Stone, Freida Pinto, Victoria Beckham, Kate Bosworth

Just because it’s the party season doesn’t mean you have to make a song and dance about your dress, sometimes a simple style is the key to the most successful outfit. Clean lines, block colour and great shoes are all you need.

Less Is More

Key shapes: Opt for a dress with a bit more structure to the fabric so that a chic shape is maintained.

Find yours…

High end: Calvin Klein Collection, Victoria Beckham, Jil Sander, Joseph

High street: Mango, River Island, Jaeger

Straight-Cut Dress, £44.90, Mango

Less Is More

Accessory hero: A simple dress gives you free reign on your feet! Go big, bold and brilliant.

By Larin Block Colour Platform Shoes, £220, My Wardrobe

The Vamp

Your inspiration: Sienna Miller, Kristen Stewart, Kate Moss

Turn temptress in layers of black lace or work a tactile twist into the mix with embellishment, velvet, leather or fringing. If you're not quite ready to go all-out vamp, make like Sienna Miller and pick out elements of the style in a LBD.

The Vamp

Key shapes: Longer lengths make for a more dramatic entrance, but a shorter hemline is more party-ready.

Find yours…

High end: Dolce & Gabbana, John Rocha, Felder Felder, Louis Vuitton

High street: Miss Selfridge, Topshop, Asos

Black Embellished Dress, £85, Miss Selfridge

The Vamp

Accessory hero: Daring statement jewels will give your outfit instant fierce-factor.

Anton Heunis Crystal Drop Chain Earrings, £113, My Wardrobe